ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GREEN CONCRETE IN PRACTICE

The buildings and other structures in which we live and work have a tremendous impact on our global environment. Concrete is the world's most abundant building material which can be shaped to make roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, buildings etc. Recently, a research study shows that each year more than six billion tons of concrete are produced worldwide which generates a huge amount of carbon dioxide and other green house gases into the environment that leads to global warming. In recent years, global concerns about climate changes have led the researchers to find ways to minimize carbon dioxide and other green house gas emission. 'Green Construction' seeks to balance resource efficiency, health, and social concerns throughout the life cycle of a structure. Among them green concrete has a variety of benefits to offer in achieving this goal. This paper gives an overview of the present state of green concrete that have reduced environmental impact. It is also emphasized here that the use of green concrete embodies low energy costs, lower green house gas emission and low maintenance cost leading to sustainable construction materials. Furthermore, in terms of resource conservation, reuse of post-consumer wastes and industrial byproducts used as a partial replacement for Portland cement clinker, makes concrete more durable and environmentally friendly.